The Last King of Texas
by Rick Riordan
Bantam 2001
Easy read — content targets 9th–12th grade
Reading level 5.7 (5th grade) but themes aimed at ages 14+
Themes include violence and consequences
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Genre
Themes
- justice
- corruption
- identity
- loyalty
- moral ambiguity
- secrets
- violence and consequences
- academic politics
About this book
When a controversial English professor is murdered, San Antonio P.I. and Ph.D. Tres Navarre steps into academia to fill the vacancy—and quickly finds himself chasing a killer through campus politics and Texas backroads. Smart, fast-talking, and stubbornly loyal, Tres navigates clues, suspects, and danger with dry humor and grit. This is a sharp, character-driven mystery with a strong sense of place and plenty of twists. Best for mature high school readers who enjoy crime fiction with wit and Texas flavor.
Setting: San Antonio, Texas, around the late 1990s/early 2000s; university campus and city neighborhoods
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Last King of Texas right for my child?
It depends — here's what to consider for The Last King of Texas. The reading level is AR 5.7, which is typical for 5th grade. The interest level is rated Upper Grades (9–12), meaning the themes and content are designed for ages 14+ (9th–12th grade). Themes include justice, corruption, identity.
How long does it take to read The Last King of Texas?
At a typical 5th grade reading pace, The Last King of Texas takes around 12h to finish. The book has 120,000 words. Slower or faster readers may vary significantly.
Does The Last King of Texas have an AR quiz?
Yes — The Last King of Texas has an AR quiz available, worth 17 points. Your child will need to take and pass the quiz through their school's Accelerated Reader program to earn credit. The quiz is typically 5–20 multiple choice questions about plot, characters, and setting.
What grade level is The Last King of Texas?
The Last King of Texas has an AR reading level of 5.7, which places it at a 5th grade reading difficulty. The interest level is rated Upper Grades (9–12) — this reflects the age-appropriateness of the content and themes, not just the reading difficulty. A strong younger reader may handle the words fine while the themes are aimed at an older audience, or vice versa.